Great Falls MT vs Richmond VA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Great Falls, MT
Montana · Population: 60,412
- Median HH Income$63,934
- Median Home Price$337,690
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+28.3%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Great Falls
60,412
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Great Falls
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Great Falls
39.3
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Great Falls
1.7%
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
White
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Great Falls
1.2%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Great Falls
1.0%
Richmond
2.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Great Falls
4.9%
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Great Falls
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,412 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 8.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 84.8% | 43.2% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 1.2% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 1.0% | 2.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 10.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Great Falls
$35,968
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Great Falls
$62,117
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Great Falls
28.3%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,934 | $62,671 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,968 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 6.0% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.0% | 18.8% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.3% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $337,690 | $374,265 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.4% | 43.5% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
433
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Great Falls
1984
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
35.8%
Great Falls +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.7%
Great Falls +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Great Falls
19.2%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
19.6%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Great Falls
15.0%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.7% | Great Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.3% | Great Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.7% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.9°F | 58.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.0 in | 43.6 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Great Falls
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Great Falls, MT | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.1 min | 23.6 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Great Falls. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Great Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Great Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
Compare More Cities
Great Falls, MT vs New York, NYGreat Falls, MT vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Great Falls, MTGreat Falls, MT vs Houston, TXGreat Falls, MT vs Phoenix, AZGreat Falls, MT vs Philadelphia, PA